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The Portuguese midfielder came to the rescue for the Portuguese side with a last-gasp winning goal in their World Cup qualifying match against Ireland, following the Irish goalkeeper had kept out a spot-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Match Overview

Neves nodded in during added time to snatch a 1-0 win, several seasons after the star striker had bagged a brace late on to overcome a resilient Ireland team.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men looked set to depart the Portuguese capital with a well-earned point, but ultimately suffered defeat, despite regaining a good deal of pride with a battling performance that overshadowed some of the memories of last month’s disappointing loss in Armenia.

However, the defeat leaves them in a difficult position, with their initial trio of Group F matches having produced only a solitary draw. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday to maintain any hope of securing a playoff place.

Key Moments

• The Liverpool keeper looked to have secured Ireland a point when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick with his outstretched foot after Francisco Trincão’s shot had struck an Irish defender’s hand.
• The match-winner came to his side’s rescue in the opening moments of stoppage time when he headed Trincão’s cross past the Irish goalkeeper.

Other Qualifying Outcomes

Portugal’s Group

The Hungarian team boosted their hopes of advancing by securing their first win with a two-goal victory over Armenia, climbing above their opponents into second place behind Portugal in the standings. A Hungarian forward gave his team the lead in the opening period and Zsombor Gruber made sure of the points in second-half added time.

England’s Group

Serbia suffered a narrow defeat at home to the Albanian squad, with the outcome meaning England can now seal their passage from their qualifying group by defeating Latvia on Tuesday. An Albanian striker netted the only goal for Albania with a neat volley in first-half added time.

The Latvian side struggles in Group K continued as they were forced to a two-all draw at home by the Andorran team. Ian Olivera found the net for the away side late on from time to earn them their first point of the qualifiers and prolong Latvia’s poor form to five games.

Group E

Spain maintained their dominant Group E run with a 2-0 victory over the Georgian side after strikes from Jéremy Pino and his teammate in Elche. The result extended the European champions’ perfect run in qualifying, having notched 11 goals in three matches without letting in a goal.

Despite the unavailability of players such as a talented winger, Nico Williams, and the midfield anchor due to injuries, the Spanish squad showcased their superiority against a Georgia team that passed the majority of the game sitting back. The home side controlled the match with over eighty percent of the ball, and the visitors did not have one shot on target or create a scoring opportunity, with only goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili averting a heavy defeat.

Pino opened the scoring in the first half from a expertly taken dead-ball routine, and his compatriot wrapped up the win in the 64th minute with a stunning free kick after Mamardashvili had saved a Spanish player’s penalty.

Other Scores

• The Turkish national team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over the Bulgarian side to keep the pressure on the group leaders in Group E. Real Madrid’s a young talent was among the scorers.
• The Italian squad improved their prospects of at least making the knockout stage with a 3-1 victory away to Estonia, thanks to strikes from Moise Kean, another attacker, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Italian coach said: “Our focus isn’t on the group leaders or our next opponents. We know what we have to do.”

The Azzurri failed to qualify for the last two global tournaments, on two occasions missing out in the qualifying rounds, and the feared backdoor route now looks their most likely chance after Norway’s comprehensive win over Israel in Group I. Norway are leading on eighteen points from six games. Italy have twelve points with a game in hand on their rivals and are three points clear of their next opponents. Estonia remain fourth on three points. The group winners advance automatically for the tournament, with the runners-up entering the playoffs.

The Italian national team face Israel on Tuesday, where a victory would cement second spot and, while they can still mathematically overtake the group leaders on the table, the leaders’ far superior goal difference means a qualifying place probably awaits for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.